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Insomnia is defined as prolonged and abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep. It is one of the most common problems addressed during a medical visit. Nearly half of the population will experience some sort of insomnia in their lifetime. Insomnia can be classified as transient (ranging from a single night to a few weeks), intermittent (at random times), and chronic (occurring most nights and lasts longer than one month). It can cause many different problems during the day which include tiredness, lack of energy, lack of concentration, and irritability.
Some causes of insomnia include, stress, environmental noise, temperature, change in sleeping patterns, and some medications and health conditions. As people get older they tend to have a harder time falling asleep. Women, typically post menopausal, tend to have insomnia more often than men at the same age.
There are many different treatment options for insomnia which include lifestyle modifications, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and treatment of other health conditions that might be causing the sleep disorder. For many people who have a sleep disorder, lifestyle modifications should be the first treatment option. Lifestyle modifications include establishing a set sleep/wake schedule throughout the week and weekend, avoid daytime naps, exercise three to four times a week, and avoiding exercising to late in the evening. Some other lifestyle modifications include avoidance of large quanti
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ties of alcohol before falling asleep, and try to sleep only as much as to feel rested.
Lifestyle changes may take a few weeks to begin to work. There are two over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can be used to help supplement lifestyle changes for insomnia. They are diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Both medications are in the drug class called antihistamine. The typical dose of diphenhydramine used for sleep is 50mg while many people may receive some benefit with the use of only 25mg. The typical dose of doxylamine is 25mg. The OTC medications should only be used for one week or less. Some side effects for the antihistamines include sedation, a hangover like effect, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urine retention.
If you have any health conditions talk to a healthcare professional before taking any medications. For more information about insomnia, please contact your pharmcist or other health care provider. While the following internet sites are not replacements for talking with your health care provider, they do offer good information.
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